Apparatus for defiberizing meats.



. G. W.. WEMPLEL I APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING MEATS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.23.'1908.

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G. W. WEMPLE. APPARATUS FOR DEFIBBRIZING MEATS.

APP 'IoATIoN I'ILED'JAN. 23. 1908.

Pa-tented June 1, 1909.

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GEORGE W. WEMPLE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSTGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHNC. L. SHEAFE, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR DEFIBERIZING MEATS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. WEMPLE, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for Defiberizing Meats, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to devices for defiberizing meats and has for itsobject the production of an apparatus so constructed that a slice ofsteak or other meat may be acted upon simultaneously by a plurality ofcutters to puncture the meat for any desired dis-' tance withoutsevering the same, thereby leaving the opposite side of the slice ofmeat intact.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction andarrangement of parts which will be readily understood by reference tothe description of the drawings and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a machineembodying the features of this invention. Fig. 2 represents an end viewof the same. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal section of the same, thecutting plane being on line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 represents a verticalsection of the same, the cutting plane being on line 44 on Fig. 2. Fig.5 represents a side elevation of the same, the apparatus being shownopened in position to cleanse the cutters. Fig. 6 represents a detail ofa portion of one of the cutter-can r in blades, with a lurality ofcutters se-' Y e P cured thereto, and Fig. 7 represents a section of thesame, the cutting plane being on line 7-7 on Fig. 6.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several figuresof the drawmgs.

In the drawings, 10 represents a suitable table to which is firmlysecured by the screws 11 the standard 12. The upper end of this standard12 has secured thereto one leaf 13 of a suitable hinge, the cooperatingleaf 14 of which is secured to the top plate 15. The opposite end ofsaid top plate 15 has secured thereto a leaf 16 of. another hinge, theco-acting leaf of which is secured to the end plate 18 adapted normallyto be held in position arallel to the standard 12 by means of the ockingbolt 19 passing through a suitable hole 20 in the foot 21 of said plateand threaded to the frame 10.

The standard 12 and the end plate 18 are each provided with side wings22 between which is adapted to reciprocate the member 23, thereciprocating movement for which being obtained by means of a handle 24pivoted at 25 to an extension 26 from the top plate 15 and connected tothe member 23 by a link 26*. To the top plate 15 is secured anadjustable stop 27 which limits the downward movement of the member 23.

Pivoted at 27 to the member 23 are a plurality of plates 28 each ofwhich has riveted thereto a plurality of semi-circular cutters orpuncturing devices 29, the lower ends of which are beveled off in such amanner as to leave two sharp points at the end of each cutter. Each ofthe plates 28 is provided with two holes 30 and 31, all of the holes 30in the different plates being in alinement with one another and theholes 31 in the different plates being similarly alined when the plates28 are in operative position. Pins 32 extending through these holes 30and 31 and similarly alined holes in the side walls of the member 23lock the plates 28 securely in position so that the ends of the cutters29 all lie in the same plane.

Secured to the standard 12 are a pair of parallel arms 33 extendingparallel to the table 10 toward the end plate 18, each of the arms 33being provided with a plurality of oblong openings 34. The free ends ofsaid arms 33 are prevented from spreading by means of the notched plate35 secured to the endplate 18, said plate 35 having notches 36 at eltherend thereof into which the ends of the arms 33 extend. Another plate 37secured to the end plate 18 cooperates with the late 35 to preventvertical movement of the rec ends of the arms 33 when the device isbeing operated. Strips or plates 38 extend from one arm 33 to the otherand through the openings 34 therein each of these plates or strips 38being provided at one end with a suitable handle 39 by which they may bereadily withdrawn, and at the other end with a suitable hole throughwhich a locking piece 40 is inserted to prevent the removal of thesestrips 38 until such removal is required.

Pivoted to the table or bed 10 at either end thereof is a U-shapedmember 41 suported in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 hy means ofthe projecting pins or studs 42. On the ends of these U-shaped members41 rests a wooden board or support 43 which we tends between thestandard 12 and the end plate 18 and normally rests upon the table 10.This board is adapted to be moved endwise between said standard 12 andthe end plate 18, as desired.

In the operation of the invention, the handle 24 is lifted up so thatthe cutters are in their highest position and a piece of steak or othermeat which it is desired to treat is placed upon the wooden support 43and then inserted between the standard 12 and the end plate 18 with thesupport 43 resting upon the table 10. The operator then. seizes thehandle 24 and causes the downward movement of the reciprocating member23, with the result that the plurality of cutters 29 penetrate the meatuntil further movement of the handle is prevented by means of theadjustable stop 27. This may be adjusted so that any thickness of meatmaybe left uncut or unpunctured by the cutters 29, as desired. When allof the cutters 29 have passed into the meat and the handle 2-l comes toa stop against the adjustable stop 27, the handle is immediately raisedand the meat will tend to follo w with the cutters 29 but the strips 38passing from one arm 33 to another between the knives 29 will act asstrippers and remove the meat from the cutters so that it will againdrop onto the support 43. The support 43 is then moved farther throughthe machine while yet resting upon the table 10 until a new section ofthe meat is beneath the cutters 29, when the operation will be repeated.The operation is continued until all of one side of the meat has beenpunctured by means of the plurality of cutters secured to thereciprocating member. This leaves one side of the steak intact andunpunctured, thus retaining all of the nice in the meat and preventingit from escaping in broiling or trying, thus retaining all of thenutrition, while at the same time the fibers are severed and the heatfrom the fire has access to a greater extent of the surface during thecooking.

The operation of the device upon the steak makes the steak very tenderand at the same time facilitates its cutting when on the table.

In order to have the apparatus perfectly sanitary at all times, theframework is hinged together in the manner previously described and whenit is desired to cleanse the diilerent parts 01 the machine, the holdingbolt 19 is removed and the framework is thrown back into the positionshown in Fig. 5 so that the foot 21 rests against a stop 44. lVhen inthis position all of the interior parts of the framework may be readilycleansed and in order to cleanse the knives the pins 32 may be removedand each plate 28 thrown over into the position shown at the right ofFig. 5 about the pivot 27, thus permitting both sides of the knives 29to be cleansed. As

been cleansed, it is thrown back into its norof this character for thepurpose ol deliberizing meat will be Fully apparent without furtherdescription.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support;vertical guides above said support; a member adapted to move toward andfrom said support within said guides; and a plurality ol cutters mountedon said reciprocating member and extending toward said support each oisaid cutters being provided at its puncturing end with a sharp pointoneach side of its center.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support;vertical guides above said support; a member adapted to move toward. andfrom said support within said guides; a plurality of cutters mounted onsaid reciprocating member and extending toward said. support each ofsaid cutters being provided at its puncturing end with a sharp point oneach side or" its center; and means for limiting the movement el saidcutters toward said support.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support;a framework above said support provided with vertical guides; a memberadapted to move toward and from said support within said. guides; a.plurality of cutters having knife-edged ends mounted on saidreciprocating member and extending toward said support; and a pluralityoi stripping devices extending between said cutters and rcmovablymounted in said framework.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a support;a framework above said support provided with vertical guides; a memberadapted to move toward and from said support within said guides; a.plurality of cutters having knife-edgml ends mounted on saidreciprocating member and extending toward said support; and a plu ralityof bars mounted in said framework and interposed between said cuttersfor stripping said cutters in their movement from said support.

5. In. an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a support; a framework above said support withvertical guides; a member adapted to move toward and from. said supportwithin said guides; a plurality of cutters having knife-edged endsmounted on said reciprocating member and extending guides; means forsecuring the free end of said framework to said table; a member ada tedto be moved toward and from said tab e within said guides; and aplurality of cutters extending from said member toward said table.

7. in an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table; astandard there on provided with guides; a frai'nework hinged to saidstandard and provided with guides; means for securing the free end ofsaid framework to said table; a member adaptedto be moved toward andfrom said table within said guides; a plurality of cutters extendingfrom said member toward said table; a pair of parallel arms secured tosaid standard parallel to said table; and a plurality of plates mountedin said arms and extending be" veen said cutters.

8. in an apparatus of the class described the combination of a table; astandard thereon provided with guides; a framework hinged to saidstandard and provided with guide means for secuing the free end oi saidiran'iework to said table; a member adapted to be moved toward and fromsaid table within said guides; a plurality of cutters extending fromsaid member toward said table; a pair of parallel arms secured to saidstandard parallel to said table; and a plurality of removable platesmounted in said arms and extending between said cutters.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table; astandard thereon. provided with guides; a framework hinged to saidstandard and provided with guides; means for securing the free end ofsaid famework to said table; a member adapted to be moved toward andfrom said table within said guides; a plurality of cutters extendingfrom said member toward said table; a pair of parallel arms secured tosaid standard parallel to said table; plurality of removable platesmounted in said arms and extendin. between said cutters; and a devicefor locking said plates in operative position.

10. in an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table;a standard thereon provided with guides; a framework hinged to saidstandard and provided with guides; means for securing the free end ofsaid framework to said table; a member adapted to be moved toward andfrom said table within said guides; a plurality of cutters extendingfrom said member toward said table; a pair of parallel arms secured tosaid standard; and a notched plate secured to said hinged frameworkadapted to engage with said arms to register them when in operativeposition.

11. in an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table;a standard thereon provided with guides; a frame ark hinged to saidstandard and provided 71th guides; means for securing the free end ofsaid framework to said table; a member adapted to be moved toward andfrom said table within said guides; a plurality of cutters extendingfrom said member toward said table; a pair of parallel arms secured tosaid standard; a

notched plate secured to said hinged framework adapted to engage withsaid arms to register them when in operative position; and another platesecured to said hinged framework cooperating with said notched plate toretain said arms in lined position during the operation of the device.

12. in an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupport; a member adapted to move toward and from said sup port; and aplurality of sernicircular cutters mounted on said reciprocating memberand extending toward said support each of said cutters being provided atits )uncturing end with a sharp point on each side of its center.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupport; a framework above said support provided with guides; a memberadapted. to move toward and from said support within said guides; aplurality of plates pivoted to said member; and a plurahty of cutterssecured to each of said pivoted plates.

14. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupport; a framework above said support provided with guides; a memberadapted to move toward and from said support within said guides; aplurality of plates pivoted to said member a plurality of cutters havingknife-edged ends secured to each of said pivoted plates; and meanssocured to said reciprocating member for looking said plates inoperative position.

15. in an apparatus of the class described the combination of a support;a framework above said support provided with guides; a member adapted tomove toward and from said support within said guides; a plurality ofplates pivoted to said member; a plurality of cutters having knifeedgedends secured to each of said pivoted plates; and a pin extending throughsaid member and said pivoted plates to lock the latter in operativeposition.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupport; a framework above said support provided with guides; a U-shapedmember adapted to move toward and from said support within said guides;a plurality of plates pivoted to the side walls of said U-shaped member;a plurality of cut ters having knife-edged ends secured to each of saidlates; and a pin extending through the wal s of said U-shaped member andsaid pivoted plates to lock the latter in operative position.

17. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a table;a vertical standard secured to said table and pro: vided with side guideplates; a top plate hinged to said standard; an end plate hinged to saidtop plate and provided with side guides; means for securing said endplate to said table parallel with said standard; a member adapted toreci )rocate in said guides toward and from saic table; means forcausing said reciprocation; and a plurality of cutters mounted on saidreciprocating member and extending toward said table.

18. In an apparatus of the class described,

' the combination of a table; a vertical standard secured to said tableand provided with side guide plates; a top plate hinged to saidstandard; an end plate hinged to said top plate and provided with sideguides; means for securing said end plate to said table parallel withsaid standard; a member adapted to reciprocate in said guides toward andfrom said table; a lever pivoted to said top plate; a link between saidlever and reciprocating member; and a plurality of cutters 1n ounted onsaid reciprocating member and extending toward said table.

19. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a table; a vertical standmember; a stop secured tosaid top plate to 4 limit the downward movement of said lever; and aplurality of cutters mounted on said reciprocating member and extendingtoward said table.

Signed by me at #7 Water st., Boston, Mass this 21st day of January1908.

GEORGE W. VEMPLE.

WVitnesses:

WALTER. E. LOMBARD, EDNA C. CLEVELAND.

